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Raw feeders often talk about having blood work done for their dogs; this post shares why it's important and how to make it affordable for multi-dog homes.

What is Blood Work for Raw Fed Dogs?

The blood work my veterinarian does is a CBD or a Complete Blood Count.  The blood work looks at the red and white blood cells, platelets, and more…

  • Cholesterol
  • Digestive enzymes
  • Electrolytes
  • Endocrine levels
  • Glucose
  • Liver health
  • Proteins

5 Reasons Blood Work is Important for Raw Fed Dogs

All dogs could benefit from annual or bi-annual blood work, regardless of their diet.  I think it's important for my dogs to have blood work because it's another tool to help me raise healthy dogs.

1 – Blood work for my dogs will give me a heads up on illnesses like liver and kidney disease, Cushing's Disease, hyperthyroidism, some cancers, tick-borne illnesses, and more.

2 – Blood work for my dogs gives me a recorded history of how they're doing on a raw food diet, which can be helpful if I have to take my dogs to a new veterinarian who may not be a fan of raw feeding.

3 – Blood work helps to monitor how my dogs are doing while they go through treatment for a health issue.

4 – Blood work for my dogs allows me to learn more about canine nutrition and health.  This is an opportunity for me to meet with my veterinarian, gain a better knowledge of my dogs, and ask questions.

5 – Blood work for my dogs gives me peace of mind.  No matter how long I've been feeding a raw food diet, I still get nervous because I'm always learning, and my knowledge of canine nutrition is minimal.  Blood work lets me know that my dogs are on the right track.

Can Bloodwork Expose Nutritional Deficiencies?

Wouldn't it be nice if bloodwork also let us know how our dogs are doing on our home-formulated diets?

Blood work for my dogs may let me know if there are any deficiencies in my dogs' diet that I can address and correct through supplementation or the addition or subtraction of foods.  Of course, when deficiencies appear on a complete blood count (CBC), it may be a serious issue.

But…

..there are blood tests that look for nutritional deficiencies. However, these tests cost several hundred dollars more than a regular panel (CBC).  It's more cost-effective to have hair samples sent in for testing.

The links below will take you to the nutritional blood tests and articles that discuss blood work and why nutritional blood tests aren't effective.  You'll have to decide if this is the right path for your dog.

But My Dogs Hate Blood Draws

If your dogs hate needles like my dogs, let your veterinarian know. They are experienced in working with skittish dogs, and some clinic staff are trained in fear-free care. Your veterinarian can make recommendations to help you prepare your dog for their appointment, including CBD oil or medication to calm their fears.

Making Blood Work Affordable for a Multi-Dog Home

As I stated earlier, blood work is expensive.  If you have multiple dogs or a dog that requires several annual appointments, you can save by…

  • speak to your veterinarian about your concerns; a full panel may not be needed
  • check with your pet insurance to see what they'll cover
  • take your dog in for bloodwork less frequently, every other year instead of annually

I've found that many veterinarians are helpful when caring for our dogs within a budget; we need to find the veterinarian who fits our pack.

Understanding Blood Work for Raw Fed Dogs

The following information is based on a study conducted by Dr. Jean Dodds’ Hemopet, Petlifeline, Hemolife & Nutriscan. The study involved over 200 dogs of different breeds who were fed a raw diet for at least 9 months before their blood was collected for laboratory tests. The results of these tests were then compared to those of healthy dogs who were fed dry kibble. While most of the blood values were similar between the two groups, there were a few exceptions.

Blood Work Test Results

  • NORMAL VALUES
    • Hematocrit: 37 – 55%
    • BUN: 6 – 24mg/dL
    • Creatinine: 0.4 – 1.4mg/dL
  • RAW FED DOGS
    • Hematocrit: 51.0 ± 6.6 – 53.5 ± 5.6%
    • BUN: 18.8 ± 6.9 – 22.0 ± 8.7mg/dL
    • Creatinine: 1.20 ± 0.34mg/dL*
  • KIBBLE FED DOGS
    • Hematocrit: 47.6 ± 6.1%
    • BUN: 15.5 ± 4.7mg/dL
    • Creatinine: 1.07 ± 0.28mg/dL

*Results were found solely in dogs that were fed a Volhard diet.

Bloodwork Defined

HEMATOCRIT is the measurement of the percentage of red blood cells in whole blood. Poor nutrition, parasites, or chronic diseases, including cancer and liver disease, can cause decreased Hematocrit (anemia). Increased values (dehydration) are more of a concern with the dry kibbled fed dog than the raw fed dog because of the lack of moisture of the diet. Raw fed dogs are also more likely to get adequate iron and vitamin B from their higher quality protein diets.

BLOOD UREA NITROGEN (BUN) is a waste product that results from the breakdown of protein in the liver. Low levels of BUN are usually caused by insufficient protein consumption, malabsorption, or liver damage. On the other hand, high levels of BUN may be due to kidney damage, certain medications, low fluid intake, intestinal bleeding, exercise, heart failure, or decreased production of digestive enzymes by the pancreas. It's worth noting that raw-fed dogs typically have higher BUN levels because they consume more protein.

CREATININE is a substance produced by the breakdown of proteins in the body. The level of creatinine in the blood indicates the body's muscle mass. Low levels are often associated with insufficient protein intake, liver disease, kidney damage, or pregnancy. Elevated levels generally indicate kidney damage and require close monitoring.

Bloodwork is a crucial determinant of a possible medical issue, but knowing the expected levels according to the diet being consumed can alleviate a great deal of worry and prevent any incorrect diagnoses.

Read More About Blood Work in Dogs

My veterinarian reviews the blood panel for each of our pets, but that doesn't mean I understand I've been told an hour later. So, I found the resources below helpful.

Read More About Raw Feeding

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